Have you ever committed to do something with the very best of intentions and then end up at the last minute in panic mode trying to get it done? I am afraid I am guilty of this all the time. Part of the problem is - I want to do it all!!! One of those things is coming up this weekend - the Rod Bouc Workshop at TRAHC - He does wonderful landscapes with oil sticks on wood and Masonite.
But part of the requirements was to start the pieces before the workshop. Step one get 3 pieces of Masonite: one sized 22 x 30 and two sized 12 x 16. Then gesso the surfaces. Check! I got that done fine a week ago.
The next part is to draw off your design and paint in the dark and mid-tones on each panel. On Tuesday, not only did I not have it done, but also I had not even gone through my photos and made any selections!! - Tuesday, I selected the photos to use. Wednesday, I drew off the designs. Wednesday night I took home the 2 smaller panels and attempted to do the mid-tones and darks. UGH! - These were done with Shiva oil sticks, which glided onto the Masonite like butter. My problem was that I could not be stopped. Though the light tones are not one these - I still think I was too tight. I am really loose and free with my art, or I am extremely tight. There is no middle ground so far. But I am working on it! My gut tells me I haven’t followed the instructions correctly. Saturday, I will find out.
The leaf and the flower are probably as ready as they are going to get to take. They are both really simple and from photos that I have taken. I really need to get out more and just take hundreds of photos. I have quite a few but whenever I go through them, I think that I wish I had something else. I thought these simple designs would work out well to test out the technique.
The woman is actually a statue in France. I went there with my mother many years ago and this is one of many many photos from that trip. I think she will be much harder to do with this technique. I hope I am not sorry. This one is not quite ready yet - I will be up late tonight doing the background. I may not do the face until tomorrow night. (Oops we are supposed to go out for dinner - oh well, I work better in the middle of the night anyway)
So either Sunday night you will see some ok work as a result of the class, or I will edit this whole blog as though it never occurred!!
Later - mzj
I think these are coming along nicely...
what are you going to do with all that workshop time if you are already finished with your paintings? :)
I think the lady looks almost done too!